U.S. patent number 4,596,489 [Application Number 06/650,906] was granted by the patent office on 1986-06-24 for traffic delineator.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Datum Plastic Molding, Inc.. Invention is credited to James F. Mariol, Edward G. McAuley.
United States Patent |
4,596,489 |
Mariol , et al. |
June 24, 1986 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Traffic delineator
Abstract
A traffic delineator includes a post having a collapsible,
box-like cross-section and a base for mounting the post upright and
securing it to a road surface. Inwardly disposed sidewalls of the
post collapse inwardly at a bend area when the post is hit by a
vehicle, permitting the post to collapse and bend through
90.degree. or more, yet the post self-restores itself to an
elongated, unbent position when the vehicle moves away. A base
includes receptacle surfaces and pins for engaging and securing the
post therein, together with a lower surface configuration enhancing
the adhesive attachment of the base to a surface.
Inventors: |
Mariol; James F. (Cincinnati,
OH), McAuley; Edward G. (Cincinnati, OH) |
Assignee: |
Datum Plastic Molding, Inc.
(Cincinnati, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
24610776 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/650,906 |
Filed: |
September 13, 1984 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/10;
404/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05D
1/02 (20130101); F16F 1/373 (20130101); F16F
1/422 (20130101); E01F 9/602 (20160201); E01F
9/642 (20160201); E01F 9/681 (20160201); E01F
9/629 (20160201); F16F 2236/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E01F
9/04 (20060101); E01F 9/011 (20060101); E01F
9/017 (20060101); E01F 9/018 (20060101); F16F
1/42 (20060101); E05D 1/02 (20060101); F16F
1/373 (20060101); E05D 1/00 (20060101); F16F
1/36 (20060101); E01F 009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;404/6,9,10,12,13,14
;40/608,612,606,610 ;411/508 ;248/158,160,346,519,677
;52/28,40,108,99,98,100,296,297,726,738 ;116/63R,63P |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
|
2834200 |
|
Feb 1980 |
|
DE |
|
275331 |
|
Aug 1951 |
|
CH |
|
415936 |
|
Sep 1934 |
|
GB |
|
Other References
Carsonite, The SSMD Super Duck. .
Carsonite, Barrier Delineator Marker BD-360. .
Carsonite, Rubber Duckie Surface Mounted Delineator, SMD-300. .
Bent Mfg. Co., Up-Rite, Glue-Down Posts. .
Unipar, Inc., Evaflex, Tubular Guide Post. .
Services & Materials Co., Inc., Flexible Fiberglass Delineator
Posts, p. 40..
|
Primary Examiner: Leppink; James A.
Assistant Examiner: Smith; Matthew
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wood, Herron & Evans
Claims
We claim:
1. A traffic delineator comprising: a base and an elongated,
self-restoring post extending upwardly from the base, wherein said
post comprises an integral, hollow member having a forward face
having a predetermined width, a rearward face having a
predetermined width approximately equal to that of said forward
face, and two sides, each of said sides being collapsible inwardly
upon bending of said post by a bending force, and said post being
self-restoring into its original shape when said bending force is
removed without creasing.
2. A traffic delineator as in claim 1, wherein said respective
sides of said post project inwardly between said forward and
rearward faces.
3. A traffic delineator as in claim 2, wherein said forward and
rearward faces are concave.
4. A traffic delineator as in claim 2, wherein said forward and
rearward faces are convex.
5. A traffic delineator as in claim 4, wherein said base comprises
a hollow tube, wherein the sides of said post are collapsed
inwardly, wherein said convex faces define substantially
semi-circular shapes, and wherein said post is disposed within said
hollow tube and extends outwardly thereof.
6. A traffic delineator comprising: a base and an elongated,
self-restoring post extending upwardly from the base, wherein said
post comprises an integral, hollow member having a forward face, a
rearward face, and two sides, each of said sides being collapsible
inwardly upon bending of said post by a bending force, and said
post being self-restoring into its original shape when said bending
force is removed without creasing, wherein said respective sides of
said post project inwardly between said forward and rearward faces,
and wherein said sides are respectively integrally joined to said
forward and rearward faces to form corners and further including
elongated grooves extending along said corners interiorly of said
post.
7. A traffic delineator as in claim 1, wherein said base includes a
post receiving receptacle having a projection extending upwardly
from a bottom thereof and into said post, said projection having a
plurality of transverse pin receiving passageways therethrough, and
wherein said delineator further includes at least two removable
pins extending through said base and said post, said pins and said
projection removably securing said post within said base
receptacle, and said pins having a longitudinal axis extending from
one side wall of said post to the other side wall of said post.
8. A traffic delineator as in claim 7, wherein said two removable
pins respectively extend inwardly from a respective side of said
base, through one side of said post, and into said projection.
9. A traffic delineator as in claim 8, further including means on
said base and said pins for securing said pins against rotation in
said base, and detent means on inward ends of said pins for
releasably retaining said pins in said projection.
10. A traffic delineator as in claim 7, further including a
plurality of rib means extending into said receptacle from opposite
sides thereof for engaging and positioning faces of said post
within said base.
11. A traffic delineator comprising: a base and an elongated,
self-restoring post extending upwardly from the base, wherein said
post comprises an integral, hollow member having a forward face, a
rearward face, and two sides, each of said sides being collapsible
inwardly upon bending of said post by a bending force, and said
post being self-restoring into its original shape when said bending
force is removed without creasing, wherein said base includes a
post receiving receptacle having a projection extending upwardly
from a bottom thereof, said projection having a transverse pin
receiving passageway therethrough, wherein said delineator further
includes at least one removable pin extending through said base and
said post, said pin and said projection removably securing said
post within said base receptacle, and said base further including a
plurality of rib means extending into said receptacle from opposite
sides thereof for engaging and positioning faces of said post
within said base, wherein tops of said rib means define relief
curves supporting a face of said post when said post is bent.
12. A traffic delineator as in claim 10, wherein said rib means
extend away and outwardly from said receptacle in opposite
directions towards opposite ends of said base.
13. A traffic delineator as in claim 12, wherein said rib means
taper downwardly from a maximum height proximate said receptacle to
a minimum height proximate respective ends of said base.
14. A traffic delineator as in claim 1, wherein said base includes
a plurality of rib means extending from a bottom thereof, at least
one of said rib means having a first portion extening
longitudinally away from a center of said base and a second
transversely extending portion continuing from said first portion
and substantially perpendicularly to said first portion.
15. A traffic delineator as in claim 1, wherein said base includes
a plurality of longitudinally and transversely extending rib means
projecting outwardly from a bottom of said base.
16. An integral, elongated, shape-restoring member comprising
elongated forward and rearward faces having outer edges and two
elongated sides between said forward and rearward faces and within
the respective outer edges thereof, said sides extending inwardly
toward each other between said faces and being further collapsible
toward each other upon application of a bending force to one of
said faces, said member being repeatedly bendable about one of said
faces by the application of a bending force thereto, and said
member being repeatedly self-restoring when said bending force is
removed.
17. An integral, elongated, shape-restoring member comprising
elongated forward and rearward faces and two elongated sides
between said forward and rearward faces, said sides extending
inwardly toward each other between said faces and being further
collapsible toward each other upon application of a bending force
to one of said faces, said member being repeatedly bendable about
one of said faces by the application of a bending force thereto,
said member being repeatedly self-restoring when said bending face
is removed, and wherein said sides and faces are joined together
integrally forming corners, and further including elongated grooves
extending along said corners interiorly of said member.
18. A shape restoring member as in claim 17, wherein said sides
form angles of about 35.degree. to about 45.degree. with said faces
when said member is in its elongated, unbent shape.
19. A shape restoring member as in claim 18, wherein said faces are
concave.
20. A shape restoring member as in claim 18, wherein said faces are
convex.
21. A traffic delineator as in claim 2, wherein said respective
sides each comprise two portions, one joined to a forward face and
one joined to a rearward face, said portions being joined together
along an elongated apex, the apex of one side moving toward the
apex of another side upon bending of said post such that said faces
and said side portions are disposed in a substantially parallel
disposition at an area in which said post is bent.
22. A traffic delineator as in claim 1, wherein forces exerted on
said post causing said post to bend are absorbed within the
post.
23. A traffic delineator as in claim 1, wherein said post is self
restoring after being subjected to bending forces bending said post
beyond 90.degree..
24. A traffic delineator as in claim 1, wherein said sides each
comprise two elongated portions of substantially equal width joined
along an elongated apex and diverging away from said apex and the
hollow interior of said post outwardly to said forward and rearward
faces.
25. A traffic delineator as in claim 10, wherein said rib means
have post face engaging surfaces disposed along said faces and
wherein said faces are one of convex and concave configuration.
26. A self-restoring traffic delineator comprising an integral post
having a forward face, a rearward face and first and second side
walls extending between said faces, each said side wall being
hinged along elongated junctures to respective ones of said forward
and rearward faces and each said side wall comprising at least two
elongated portions hinged together along an elongated apex, the
junctures of said side walls to said forward and rearward faces
having elongated relieved areas definng elongated hinge axes
therealong.
27. A traffic delineator comprising: a base for mounting on a
surface and an elongated, self-restoring, symmetrical post
extending upwardly from said base, wherein said post has forward
and rearward faces of substantially equal width and first and
second angular side walls between said forward and rearward faces,
each said side wall being hinged along elongated junctures to
respective ones of said forward and rearward faces and each said
side wall comprising at least two elongated portions hinged
together along an elongated apex, the junctures of said side walls
to said forward and rearward faces having elongated relieved areas
defining elongated hinge axes therealong.
28. A traffic delineator as in claim 27, wherein said elongated
hinge axes defined by the relieved areas extending between the
forward and rearward faces of said post and the two angular sides,
respectively, in combination with the elongated hinged apex between
the two portions of the angular sides of said post predispose said
post to bending such that the bending forces absorbed by said post
predisposition reduces the amount of bending forces transferred to
said base, thereby decreasing mounting failure of said base to a
surface due to leverage and pull-up forces exerted on said base by
bending forces exerted on said post when said base is affixed to a
surface.
29. A traffic delineator as in claim 27, wherein said angular side
walls are of substantially equal depth and breadth and wherein upon
application of a bending force to said post the apex of one angular
side wall moves toward the apex of the other angular side wall such
that portions of each angular side wall fold together and lie
against respective adjacent forward and rearward faces in a
substantially parallel disposition at an area in which said post is
bent by a bending force.
30. An integral, elongated, shape-restoring, symmetrical member
comprising elongated forward and rearward faces of substantially
equal width and two elongated angular sides of substantially equal
depth and breadth between said forward and rearward faces, said
angular sides extending inwardly towards each other between said
faces and being further collapsible toward each other in a
substantially parallel disposition with said adjacent faces upon
application of a bending force to one of said faces, said
shape-restoring member being repeatedly bendable about either of
said faces by the application of a bending force thereto, and said
shape-restoring member being repeatedly self-restoring when a
bending force is removed.
31. An integral, elongated, shape-restoring, symmetrical member as
in claim 30, wherein said sides and faces are joined together
integrally along edges thereof forming corners, and further
including elongated grooves extending along said corners interiorly
of said symmetrical member.
32. An integral, elongated, shape-restoring, symmetrical member as
in claim 31, wherein bending forces exerted on said member squeeze
the two angular side walls of said member together at an area in
which said member is bent, thereby creating counter forces operable
when the bending force is removed to cause the collapsed angular
side walls of said member to restore to their unbent
disposition.
33. An integral, elongated, shape-restoring, symmetrical member as
in claim 31, wherein the elongated grooves extending along said
corners interiorly of said member reduce the resistance to bending
forces of said member by enabling the forward and rearward faces of
said member to hinge at the grooves when the two angular side walls
of said member are collapsed and squeezed together at an area in
which said member is bent by a bending force.
34. A traffic delineator as in claim 1, wherein said post is
bi-directionally self-restoring about either of said faces after
being subjected to bending forces bending said post beyond
90.degree..
Description
This invention relates to self-restoring elongated members, and
more particularly to self-restoring traffic delineators, although
useful in other environments as well.
Traffic delineators are useful in traffic management and
particularly in directing traffic around construction and repair
sites, detours, accident scenes, and the like. When such
delineators are used in areas where they are likely to be hit by a
vehicle, it is desirable to have them spring back or "restore"
themselves to their original position so they continue to
effectively delineate a traffic direction.
While numerous types of traffic delineators are available, many of
them have one or more inherent disadvantages which make them less
than totally suitable for universal application. For example, when
a delineator is engaged by a vehicle, it must bend and then, if it
is to still be effective, must return to its pre-engaged position.
While various types of traffic delineators have been proposed, many
of them do not have the capability of durability needed to
withstand repeated impact. Where the upstanding member is itself
bent, the stresses exerted on the materials, including creasing of
the materials, may not permit immediate and repeatable restoration
to the pre-bent condition. Further, repeated bending stresses
exerted on the post member tears, creases or breaks the material
destroying the device. Some posts are associated with other
resilient members for bending or for restoring the knocked-over
elements. This causes increased complexity, cost and, depending on
rigidity of the upstanding member, attachment failure, with certain
units, due to the resulting leverage forces exerted on the base
unit by the upright when impacted.
Other posts may not have sufficient rigidity to withstand wind and
other forces which should not move the delineator, or are so rigid
that their self-restoring capabilities are either too slow or not
capable of bending in a second direction without failure.
Another common component failure is the destruction of the
reflective material affixed to the devices for nighttime visibility
and which is caused by the abrasive engagement of the material by
the vehicle.
Also, such delineators must have provisions for adequately securing
them to a road or ground surface. Such bases must be secure against
removal when the upstanding delineator is engaged, for example, by
a vehicle. Further, the upstanding member or post on many
delineators is difficult to replace when damaged.
It accordingly has been one objective of the invention to provide
an improved traffic delineator.
A further object of the invention has been to provide an improved,
one-piece, self-restoring post for a traffic delineator.
A further objective of the invention has been to provide an
improved base for a traffic delineator, capable of securement to
various surfaces and by various modes.
A further objective of the invention has been to provide a traffic
delineator including a base and upstanding post combination which
is inexpensive, lightweight, repeatedly self-restoring, and long
lived when subjected to numerous impacts and overruns.
A further objective of the invention has been to provide a post for
a traffic delineator which post is usable with a number of
different bases for mounting on different surfaces.
An associated and further objective of the invention has been to
provide an improved, elongated self-restoring member capable of
being bent repeatedly and being repeatedly self-restoring to its
pre-bent condition without significant deterioration of its
self-restoring capacity.
To these ends, a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a
traffic delineator having a base and a self-restoring post
comprising an integral, hollow post, formed in a box-like
cross-section. The post has forward and rearward faces, preferably
concave, and inwardly directed sidewalls having apices disposed
between the faces. Grooves run along the interior juncture of the
sidewalls and the faces at each corner to facilitate flexure of the
sidewalls with respect to the faces. When the forward or rearward
face of the post is bent over, the sidewalls bend or collapse
together about the respective apices and inwardly. They then bend,
with the faces, across their surface at the bend location. When the
bending force is removed, the elasticity of the faces and sidewalls
causes them to straighten and the entire post to self-restore.
Also, the sidewalls tend to open about their apices and these
opening forces urge the integral post into a restored, box-like
condition. Preferably, the post faces are slightly concave for
on-road use, but alternatively may be convex, for off-road use as
will be described. These configurations, in combination with the
sidewalls, provide an even more rigid post in normal condition, yet
a post which is still capable of bending when subjected to the
impact of a moving vehicle, for example.
As a result of this construction, the post in its normal condition
is relatively rigid and formed of a strong, rigid, box-like in
cross-section, construction. Nevertheless, when engaged by an
obstruction, such as a moving vehicle, the sidewalls collapse
inwardly and the post thus presents not a box-like configuration,
but four flat adjacent surfaces at each side which are more easily
bent thereacross than would be a post having a non-collapsible
box-like configuration. In other words, the box-like configuration
collapses so all walls are in substantially parallel planes at the
bend area. This prevents destructive stressing of the components,
and provides a strong box section post which can readily be bent
when subjected to a predetermined force.
Accordingly, the post of the invention provides a rigid,
box-section configuration, resistant to bending, but collapsible
upon any significant impact to permit controlled bending without
diminishing the self-restoring characteristics of the post. This
construction permits the use of materials which are relatively soft
in a planar configuration, but provide a relatively rigid post when
formed in the box-like configuration described.
In other words, the self-restoring flexing or flexural properties
of relatively soft materials are significantly enhanced when the
materials are formed in the described box-like configuration,
thereby providing greater self-restoring capabilities in a
relatively rigid post.
The preferred base includes a post receiving receptacle with a
mounting projection extending from the bottom of the receptacle up
into the post. Locator pins are inserted into the base from each
side, through the respective post sidewalls, and into the interior
projection of the base where they are releasably latched. Ribs in
the receptacle engage and position the post faces, and are slightly
curved at their tops to prevent wear of the post faces when the
post is bent at the base. These ribs extend out to the ends of the
base, increasing the strength of the base and the post receiving
receptacle.
The bottom of the base is provided with a plurality of ribs
extending, initially, perpendicularly from the center of the
elongated base. The ribs then bend out at 90.degree. and lie
transversely to the base elongation. These ribs strengthen the
base, and form grooves in both longitudinal and transverse
sections, for holding adhesive to provide for resistance of base
movement in either longitudinal or transverse directions when the
base is adhered to a surface.
The delineator according to the invention is particularly well
adapted to repeated flexings by traffic and to mounting on varied
surfaces in varied modes, such as by pins or nails extending into
the surface through the base, adhesives, and the like.
Further, the post comprises concave faces and such a post is
preferably used with the preferred base first described above for
on-road applications.
Moreover, in another embodiment a base comprising a tube can be
driven into a surface, such as soil, to serve as a base for a post
having convex faces. The sidewalls of the post are collapsed
inwardly and the convex faces bulge outwardly in semi-circular
fashion. The post is then inserted into the tube to serve, for
example, as an off-road delineator. Such a post having convex faces
can also be used with the preferred base mentioned above.
It will also be appreciated that when the relative rigidity of the
box-like post is overcome by initial bending, the relatively soft
materials present flat surfaces in the bend area, reducing the
amount of leverage forces exerted on the remaining straight post
and the base. This thus reduces overall leverage forces tending to
lift portions of the base from the attachment surfaces.
Also, it will be appreciated that the self-restoring post may be
used in other environments where a self-restoring member is
required. Other applications, such as in using the post as a spring
or motor, may be readily appreciated.
Other objectives and advantages will become readily apparent from
the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention, and from the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
a delineator according to the invention;
FIG. 2A is a bottom plan view of the base of FIG. 2;
FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2B--2B of FIG.
2A;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred post of the
delineator of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative post useful in a
delineator as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4A is a view of an alternate base mounting for the post of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the post of FIG. 3 mounted within the
alternate base of FIG. 3A, and taken near the alternate base;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the post of the delineator of FIG.
1 shown in a bent condition;
FIG. 5A is a reduced side diagrammatic view of the post of FIG. 5,
bent back upon itself; and
FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the post of FIG. 5 taken at the bend
line along lines 6--6 and approximates the position of the
materials along the bend.
Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 thereof a
preferred embodiment of the invention comprising a traffic
delineator 10 having a marking standard or post 11 and a base 12
which mounts the delineator 10 on a surface, such as a road surface
R, or any other suitable mounting surface, such as a curbing,
traffic island, raised median or the like.
The preferred post 11 has a rectangular or box-like cross-section,
as best seen in FIG. 3. Post 11 includes a forward face 13, a
rearward face 14 and sides 15 and 16, which join together
respective edges of the forward and rearward faces. As shown in
FIG. 3, the post 11 is substantially hollow and the forward and
rearward faces 13, 14 are slightly concave in shape. Side member 15
includes inwardly directed or tapered portions 17 and 18, while
side member 16 includes inwardly directed or tapered portions 19
and 20. Portions 17 and 18 meet at an apex 21, while portions 19
and 20 meet at an apex 22. Side portion 17 joins forward face 13 at
a corner 23, which extends along the edges of the portion 17 and
the forward face 13. Likewise, side portion 18 meets the rearward
face 14 at a corner 24, which extends along the side portion 18 and
the rearward face 14. Side portion 19 of sidewall 16 meets the
forward face 13 along a corner 25 which extends along the side
portion 19, and the side portion 20 meets the rearward face 14
along a corner 26 which extends along the side portion 20 and the
rearward face 14. Respective elongated grooves 27-30 are defined at
the respective corners 23-26, interiorly of the post 11.
It will also be appreciated that elongated ribs extend outwardly of
the corners 23-26, these ribs being numbered, respectively, 31-34.
Finally, it will be appreciated that the portions 17 and 18 of the
side 15 taper inwardly such that there is an angle 35 of about
90.degree. therebetween. Similarly, portions 19 and 20 of the
sidewall 16 taper inwardly so that there is an angle 36 of about
90.degree. therebetween. As a result, each sidewall portion forms
an angle of about 35.degree. with respect to the face to which it
is attached. Accordingly, the marking standard or post 11 comprises
a box-like configuration.
Preferably, the post is manufactured by extrusion or by other
suitable forming techniques. The post is made from various flexible
materials including, for example, polyethylene, polyurethane, vinyl
compounds, rubber, etc. A material composed of a copolymer of
ethylene and vinyl acetate, or a material composed of EPDM rubber
and polypropylene, each of which can be bent through 90.degree. and
beyond with stressing the material beyond its limit of elongation
(elasticity) can be used. Yet, when the material is formed in the
box-like cross-sectional configuration as shown in FIG. 3, it
comprises a post having a significant predetermined resistance to
any undesirable bending such as by wind. It will be appreciated
that the thicknesses of the walls of the various faces and
sidewalls are approximately 0.125" thick, except in the grooved
areas 27-30 which comprise elongated relieved portions extending
between the respective forward and rearward faces and the attached
sidewalls.
It will also be appreciated that the materials in planar form are
significantly less rigid relative to the materials in the box-like
post configuration as described.
Turning momentarily to FIG. 4, an alternative post 40 has a forward
wall 41, a rearward wall 42, a sidewall 43 and a sidewall 44. It
will be noted in FIG. 4 that the forward and rearward walls 41, 42
form, together with the sidewalls 43 and 44, a hollow, box-like
cross section wherein the forward and rearward walls 41, 42 are
convex. Accordingly, the sidewall portions form an angle of about
45.degree. with respect to the convex sidewalls to which they are
attached. The included angle between the other portions of each
sidewall remains approximately 90.degree.. With these exceptions,
the post 40 as shown in FIG. 4, is similar to the post 11 as shown
in FIG. 3. Various features of post 40 similar to post 11 are
similarly numbered with the addition of the suffix "a".
Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a preferred base 12 which is
suitable for securing the delineator 10 to a road surface R, or to
any other suitable surface. This is accomplished, for example, by
driving spikes or other fasteners through apertures 45 in the base
12 and into the supporting surface, or by adhesively securing the
base to a surface.
The base 12 includes a post receiving receptacle 50 for receiving
the post 11 therein. Provided within the receptacle 50 is an
upstanding projection 51, molded so as to have a transverse
passageway 52 therethrough. Apertures 53 and 54 are located in the
sidewalls 55 and 56 of the base and relieved portions 57 and 58 are
cut into the respective sidewalls 55 and 56.
Vertical post supporting ribs 60 extend into the receptacle 50 and
provide supporting surfaces for engaging the forward and rearward
faces of any respective post utilized in connection with the base
and such as the forward and rearward faces 13 and 14 of the post
11, or the faces 41, 42 of the alternate post 40. The tops of the
ribs 60 are curved as at 61 to provide a smooth transition area for
bending of the post as it is bent over with respect to, and at, the
base.
Mounting pins 62 and 63 are provided at each side of the base and
comprise respective heads 64 and 65, each having an anti-rotation
rib 66, 67, respectively. Each pin has a forward split end and a
detent 68, 69, respectively.
In use, the pins are inserted through the apertures 53 and 54 in
the base sidewalls, through the apertures 70 and 71 in the post 11,
and into the upstanding projection 51 in the post receptacle 50.
The detents 68 and 69 on the forward split ends of the pin slip
through the apertures and come to rest in a central relieved area
73 of the upstanding projection 51, which area 73 communicates with
the transverse passageway 52, wherein the pins reside. Once the
detents 68 and 69 extend through the aperture 73, the pins are
secured within the base and maintain a post therein. The ribs 66
and 67 are engaged in reliefs 57, 58 to prevent rotation of the
pins and thus any inadvertent loosening of the detents, with
respect to the projection 51 by rotation, such as may depress the
detents by engagement with edges of aperture 73.
It will be appreciated that each of the ribs 60 extends rearwardly
and outwardly to respective ends 74, 75 of the base. For example, a
rib 60 extends rearwardly through integral rib portions 60A and 60B
which taper from a maximum height, at the end of the post receiving
receptacle 50, to a height dimension which is preferably flush with
the base at its outer end 74. The other ribs 60 on this side of the
base and on the other side of the base are formed similarly, with
the ribs on the other side of the base extending to the outer edge
75 of the base. These ribs provide significant support for the post
11 as it is bent with respect to the base, and provide support for
the post engaging surfaces of the respective ribs 60.
Turning now to FIG. 2A, there is shown a bottom plan view of the
base. The base is preferably provided with a number of particularly
configured ribs in order to permit the base to be positively
secured to a surface such as road surface R. In particular, the
base is provided with a plurality of ribs 76-80 and 82-86, each of
which has a longitudinal portion, identified by the number of the
rib together with the suffix "A", and an integral transverse
portion identified by the number of the rib with the suffix "B". A
longitudinal T-shaped rib having a longitudinal portion 87 and a
transverse portion 88 is provided between the set of ribs 76-80 and
the set of ribs 82-86. Thereafter, transverse ribs 89-92 extend
across the base. The other side of the base is similarly
configured.
It will be appreciated that grooves are located between the
respective ribs such as are shown at 89A, 90A and 91A in FIG. 2B.
These grooves, as shown in FIG. 2B, extend transversely, while
other grooves, lying parallel to the rib portions 76A-80A and
portions 82A-86A, extend longitudinally with respect to the base.
When it is desired to permanently secure the base to a surface,
such as a road surface R, the base can be secured thereto by the
utilization of adhesive such as an appropriate epoxy or any other
suitable adhesive. This adhesive is placed into the respective
grooves as described above, or is applied to the road surface,
whereupon the base and the road surface are joined together with
the grooves and ribs providing, in combination, a highly "toothed"
or "roughened" surface which functions to secure the base against
movement in either the longitudinal or transverse directions. In
other words, the transverse grooves lying between the ribs 88-92
and between the transverse portions of the ribs 76-80 and 82-86
tend to secure the base against motion in the longitudinal
direction, that is, motion in the direction lying parallel to the
base between the ends 74 and 75. The other longitudinally extending
grooves tend to secure the base against motion in a transverse
direction. The grooves also provide structural rigidity to the base
12.
FIGS. 4A and 4B disclose an alternative form of base useful with
the post configuration as shown in FIG. 4. In some installations,
it is desirable to secure a traffic delineator in an area where a
base such as that shown in FIG. 2 may be eliminated and a somewhat
simpler base utilized. Accordingly, where it is desirable to erect
a traffic delineator in unpaved surfaces, such as dirt or soil, a
base comprising a tube 95 is used. Tube 95 may have its forward end
tapered, pinched, or otherwise closed to form a point or a wedge,
and is simply driven into the ground, providing an upward circular
opening 96. The alternative post 40, as shown in FIG. 4, can be
configured by squeezing, such that the portions 17a and 18a of the
sidewall 43 and the portions 19a and 20a of the sidewall 44a
collapse inwardly and together, thereby producing a circular
configured post such as that shown in FIG. 4B. Such a circular post
as shown in FIG. 4B can be inserted into the opening 96 of the
driven base 95 in order to provide a delineator.
As noted hereinabove, it is highly desirable to provide a traffic
delineator having an upstanding post, such as a post 11, which may
be repeatedly bent, such as when engaged by a moving vehicle, and
yet which is capable of self-restoring itself to its upright
position once the bending force is removed or the vehicle is moved
away from the post, for example. Also, it is necessary to provide a
traffic delineator wherein such forces such as wind and the like do
not tend to bend or move the post. The box-like post structure, as
described hereinabove, has proved to be sufficiently rigid as a
result of its box-like structure in order to withstand forces such
as normal wind forces exerted on traffic delineators and despite
the use of relatively soft materials. Nevertheless, the relatively
rigid box-like post structure can be easily collapsed and bent when
engaged by a moving vehicle, for example, and yet is readily
self-restoring as will now be described.
While the post when engaged by a vehicle will usually bend over at
the base, FIG. 5 illustrates the bending of a post, such as a post
11, in an intermediate area thereof. The bend such as shown at the
position B on the post may occur anywhere along the post, although
it is understood most likely the bend may occur at the very bottom
of the post where the post enters the post receiving receptacle 50
of the base 12. It is for this reason that support ribs 60 have
curved surfaces 61 in order to prevent any excessive wear of the
post.
Even though the post is bent, the various portions of the post are
not bent beyond their elongation capabilities and the post is
immediately self-restoring. This is accomplished by means of
controlling and defining the areas of actual bend in the post
material, such that none of the particular components are over
stressed. In particular, it will be appreciated that when the post
is bent, it is first collapsed so that portions 17 and 18 of
sidewall 15 and portions 19 and 20 of sidewall 16 are bent through
the respective angles 35 and 36 so as to lie generally along side
one another. Also, the faces 13 and 14 are drawn inwardly so that
their outer edges lie along side the respective portions 17 and 18
at the one side, and 19 and 20 at the other side, of the respective
collapsed sidewalls 15 and 16. Accordingly, a bend B is formed
across the post in an area where the entire post presents no
surface lying in a plane which is perpendicular to the bend, rather
all surfaces at the bend lie now in a plane substantially parallel
to the axis of the bend. For example, and as viewed in FIG. 5, an
upper portion 11A of the post 11 has been bent to the right, as
viewed in FIG. 5, at the bend area B. This tends to bend the entire
post about the rearward face 14 with the sidewall portions 17 and
18 having collapsed or rotated about the apex 21 and the side
portions 19 and 20 having collapsed about the apex 22. Thus, at the
bend area, only generally parallel flat surfaces are provided for
bending and there is no resistance to bending provided by any
surface lying in a plane perpendicular to the bending direction.
The box-like structure is thus first collapsed so that no sidewall
is over stressed.
Once the bending force is removed, the natural tendencies of the
slightly stressed or compressed materials in the faces 13 and 14,
together with the natural tendency of the portions 17, 18 and 19,
20 to return to their natural separated state, as shown in FIG. 3,
immediately restores the post to its original and straight, unbent
condition. In particular, not only do the concave faces 13 and 14
tend to restore themselves by returning to their normal unbent
condition, but the sidewalls tend to spring outwardly to their
normal tapered position as shown in FIG. 3. This outward springing
of the sidewalls urges the collapsed faces 13 and 14 apart and
toward their original box-like configuration as shown in FIG. 3,
thereby urging post 11 to its elongated, straightened
configuration.
It will be appreciated that while the post may be bent at the bend
area B, such as shown in FIG. 5, the sidewall portions 17, 18 and
19, 20 are collapsed inwardly to varying degrees. For example, the
portions 17, 18 and 19, 20 may be in engagement with each other at
the particular bend area, but then begin to taper apart as the
distance increases from the bend area. Accordingly, then, the bend
is highly defined along a particular area where the faces and the
sidewalls lie parallel to each other and there is no over stressing
of any part of the upstanding post in a bending configuration. In
addition, the unbent, unstressed sides adjacent the bend area and
tapering outwardly therefrom exert forces on the bend area tending
to supplement or augment the self-restoring capabilities of the
post at the bend area.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that the relieved areas or
elongated grooves 27-30 facilitate the collapsing of the respective
portions of the sidewalls together with their adjacent respective
forward or rearward faces, all to promote collapsing of the
box-like structure when the post is engaged by a moving
vehicle.
Referring to FIG. 5A, the post of FIG. 5 is diagrammatically shown
bent over upon itself to a greater degree than in FIG. 5. It will
be noticed that the sidewalls and faces of the post form themselves
into a loop "L" at the bend, the components following a curve about
the loop "L" rather than creasing or tearing.
It will also be appreciated that the ribs 31-34 may extend
outwardly to such an extent as to provide a significant amount of
protection for the outer concave surfaces of the faces 13 and 14
and prevent the scraping of the entire face by engagement of any
portion of a vehicle thereover. In this regard, reflective material
may be positioned in desired places on the outer surfaces of the
forward and rearward faces 13 and 14 for the purpose of rendering
the post 11 more highly visible during nighttime.
It will also be appreciated that the bending of the post is
accomplished by defining various predetermined bending areas in the
structure such that the bending of the post, when struck by an
obstacle, is accommodated so as not to destroy the self-restoring
features of the post. That is to say, the engagement of the post
provides a collapsing of the faces and sidewalls about the corners
23-26 and about the apices 21, 22 before the post is bent over, all
to render the sidewalls generally parallel with the forward and
rearward faces at the bend such that no component of the box-like
structure is over stressed by the bending. Nevertheless, the post
is immediately self-restoring to provide a box-like configuration
having a substantial relative rigidity when compared to the bent
portion of the post.
Reconsidering momentarily FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that the
post 40 as shown in FIG. 4 also provides a box-like construction
for a post which operates substantially similarly to that post 11
as described above, and which can be used with either the base 12
(FIG. 1) or the tubular base of FIGS. 4A and 4B. It will be
appreciated that the convex faces 41 and 42 operate in conjunction
with the respective sidewalls as shown in FIG. 4, in a similar way
to the corresponding sidewalls of post 11 in order to accommodate
defined bending of the various components of the construction when
the post is subjected to a bending force, so as not to reduce the
self-restoring characteristic of the post.
While as stated above it is most likely that a post will be bent at
the base such that a rearward or forward face engages and is bent
over the curved relieved surfaces 61 (FIG. 1), it may also occur
that a post is bent at any other portion thereof. This may occur,
for example, when a vehicle overruns a delieneator, stops while
over the delineator, and backs up, thereby bending the upper end of
the post in an opposite direction. Since the entire post is
bendable along its length in the manner as described above, such an
operation would not destroy the post, nor its self-restoring
capability throughout its length, even though bent at 90.degree. or
more.
When the post is bent over at the base, the leverage forces tending
to lift on end of the base, and which may be anticipated, are
greatly reduced by use of the posts as described. Due to the
relatively flexible materials used, bending of the post at the base
does not exert significant leverage forces which have a capacity to
lift the base against its attachment to a road surface for example.
Instead, the forces are taken up within the collapsing post itself
and are stored, tending to restore the post once the bending force
is removed, rather than lifting the base. This is due to the face
that at the bend, the materials are relatively flat, and the
bending is more easily accomplished due to collapsing of the post.
Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the box-like configuration
of the post permits use of more flexible materials when in turn
exert less undesirable leverage forces on the base when the
otherwise relatively rigid post is bent.
Moreover, it should be appreciated that the post as described
herein can be used in other environments than traffic delineators,
such as where a relatively rigid box-like structure is required,
but which can be easily collapsed to accommodate a bend and yet be
self-restoring. In this regard, it will be appreciated the post
could be used to function as a hinge, spring or a motor having a
relatively high initial resistance to bending, and yet permitting
bending through a relatively large arc of 90.degree. or better
while still retaining its self-restoring capability to an elongated
position.
It will also be appreciated that the various self-restoring
properties of the elongated post, as described herein, may vary
with respect to the various materials utilized in the post and that
other and further actions or dynamics within the structure itself
serve also to promote the self-restoration of the post after it is
bent.
Finally, as clearly shown in the drawings, it will be appreciated
that the forward and rearward walls of the post member of each
embodiment herein are of substantially equal width, that the sides
or side walls are angular and are also of substantially equal depth
and breadth, and that the entire post of each embodiment defines a
symmetrical shape.
These and other modifications and advantages will become readily
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing
from the scope of the invention, and the applicant intends to be
bound only by the claims appended hereto.
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